Newbie rider, soon.

[sgc1001]

I am 23 and have just discovered my passion for bikes.

I don't have a bike liscence yet, but hopefully soon. I have also found i have a thing for the GS. As a newbie to bikes I really don't have any idea which one to go for when the time is right.

Which one is best for a newbie?

(Just as an aside, I have two BMW 318i's one E36 and an E30. The '36 will be a touring car, which is why I'll eventually need a bike to get to work etc and sell the E30.)

 

[nadeem]

Well most folk start out on the F650GS...and then after a year or so move up to the 11XX - 1200...good luck with the test...!

 

[sgc1001]

thanks vey much!

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

I developed a late interest in bikes myself, after watching Ewan and Charlie on the telly. Did a CBT and DAS over a month or so, went and had a test ride on a 1200GS, and bought it a week later.

The one thing I will say is watch the insurance, it isn't going to be cheap whatever route you go down, but at 33 mine should be cheaper than yours

When I asked BMW insurance, they told me about £330, for TPFT on a new 650GS or £200 on fully comp on the same 650GS! Must have been some kind of special offer 'cos it didn't work out that way on the R1200GS

 

[nadeem]

They've had a deal on F650GS Insurance (new bikes) for a while now through BMW Insurance.

 

[monochrome_boy]

Yes an F 650 GS is a sensible starter, if you are tall enough then a 650 Dakar will have more kudos. It is all a matter of confidence; some people go straight to a big 1200 some prefer to start with a 650. In the end it is really down to how you feel, my advice don't put too much pressure on yourself to begin with, road riding is all about experience and to gain it you have to stay alive. The important thing is to find a bike you are comfortable with (e.g. weight wise, seat height, throttle response) so you are not taking your attention off the road because you are worrying over the bike. Good luck with your test.

 

[sgc1001]

thanks everybody.

as i'm 6ft 2 i'll probably go for the dakar, then once i've gotten a few years experience then i'll move up to the 1200.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

My first bike (after passing my test) was an Aprilia Pegaso 650 - which is a near twin brother to the F650GS. It was a great first bike but I quickly got tired of riding it long distances so got the R1150GS. As commuting bike the 650 was superb. Insurance was high(ish) at first on both bikes but now it has come down nicely thanks to 4 claim free years and an IAM pass.

Mike

 

[Deleted Member I]

IMHO, get a 2nd hand 1100 or 1150 to start.

Prices seems to be getting more sensible. Find a seller who prefers to clean rather than ride their bike and you should be on to a winner.

I am not sure if the residuals on a 650 are any good. There are still quite a few people buying and selling 1100/1150.

There seems to be a bigger market for 1100/1150 than there are for the 650. This makes getting and getting rid of stuff much easier.

 

[Seamaster]

Dakar

Hello sgc1001,
I went for a new Dakar with ABS etc, I bought it brand new and as I had not passes my test I bought it untried( not a thing I would do again! ). I found the single cylinder thump/vibration extremely difficult to get on with along with the relatively high centre of gravity so I sold the Dakar and bought an 850gs,although heavier than the 650 Dakar the c of g is lower. The dakar is a good looking bike and is economical.

 

[Deadskin]

thanks everybody.

as i'm 6ft 2 i'll probably go for the dakar, then once i've gotten a few years experience then i'll move up to the 1200.

After a week you'll be bored

 

[Taff]

The one thing I will say is watch the insurance, it isn't going to be cheap whatever route you go down.... When I asked BMW insurance, they told me about £330, for TPFT on a new 650GS or £200 on fully comp on the same 650GS!

The premium the insurance company charges is based on the level of risk etc. They obviously think that you are a high risk case, going from CBT to 1200cc bike in a month; whether the bike is garaged, alarm fitted etc. As a guide for you fully comp insurance for me (42 yr old) living in South West Wales, arranged through BMW for a 1150 Adventure is about £350 pa. If I was living in Swansea, it would go up drastically, and if I'd only just passed my test, I dread to think.

Seriously, get some professional training and this should reduce your premium for next year - but trust me it would still be well worth getting even if it didn't.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

As a guide for you fully comp insurance for me (42 yr old) living in South West Wales, arranged through BMW for a 1150 Adventure is £350 pa. If I was living in Swansea, it would go up drastically, and if I'd only just passed my test, I dread to think.

Interesting to see how location changes things.

I'm also 42 but living in sleepy Somerset. My R1150GS renewal was £229 through BMW but I renewed yesterday with eBike Insurance for just £170. (No convictions, but 3 current points and 3 points from 4 years ago)

Mike